Johannesburg - Two men believed to be taxi bosses were mowed down on Sunday night outside the Mall of Africa.
According to Gauteng police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Lungelo Dlamini the two men were shot and killed at a drop-off point outside the mall in Midrand.
“Suspects in a white VW Polo pulled up to where two men were talking.
“They got out of the vehicle, shots were fired at the two men and the suspects then fled the scene,” Dlamini said, adding that the motive for the shooting was still under investigation.
“No suspects have been arrested, but a manhunt is under way. All information leading to the arrest and prosecution of those responsible will be rewarded.”
Spokesman for the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) Thabisho Molelekwa condemned the violence.
“There is a process of mediation taking place between the two taxi associations so that both operate in a way where neither one takes ownership of the route. You cannot claim ownership of something that wasn’t there before,” Molelekwa said.
He said the continued violence and killings undermined this process, adding that the government’s help was needed.
“We need support for the process with law enforcement from the premier and the Gauteng Department of Transport.”
Despite heavy Twitter criticism regarding safety at the Mall of Africa, brand manager Vanessa Fourie said the safety of patrons was their main concern.
Taxi violence incidents in May:
Vice-president of the Alexandra taxi association was killed in a drive-by shooting.
Two taxi operators were killed in drive-by shootings in Alexandra that night.
A taxi boss was shot and killed outside his home in Moroko North, Soweto.
Two bystanders injured in Katlehong.
Ivory Park Taxi Association chairman Dumisani Mlambo was gunned down in Tembisa.
A taxi driver was beaten with bricks by two assailants at the Noord Taxi Rank.